2200 Watch reports and analysis on the day's events from the Nine News

2030 Statement from Minister for Justice Alan Shatter on the Judges' Pay referendum:

“I welcome the substantial public support for the Government’s proposal on judges’ pay.

I was struck during the run up to the ballot by the appreciation that this proposal was fundamentally about fairness and ensuring that our judiciary were not perceived as immune from the financial difficulties affecting the state that have impacted on the pay of thousands of public servants.

People were also anxious to ensure the continued protection of the independence of the judiciary and understood that the Constitutional Amendment that is now approved by the people would not in anyway undermine that crucial independence which is of vital importance to us all.”

2010 The Referendum on Oireachtas inquiries has been defeated.

There were 928,175 votes (53.3%) against and 812,008 votes(46,7%)in favour.

2008 Tweet from Joe Mag Raollaigh:"5 mins 2 final count on oir inquiries ref... looks like a defeat for government. No gov mins or politicians at Castle"

1815 At a news conference in Dublin Castle a short time ago, the President-elect Michael D Higgins said one of his first priorities will be to participate at a seminar to discuss issues facing young people; such as mortgages, unemployment and suicide.

He said he wants to pursue 'ideas' while in office and said there was now a positive mood in the country to move beyond recrimination.

Mr Higgins said he would work to create a positive hope.

1812 Referendum results from 29 constituencies show that people have voted overwhelming in favour of the referendum on Judges' Pay: 79.7% in favour, 20.3% against.

1806 President-elect Michael D Higgins is currently talking to Bryan Dobson live on the 6.1 News (available to watch above)

1759 Referendum results from 16 of 43 constituencies show that almost 54% have voted AGAINST the referendum on Oireachtas Inquiries - an just over 46% have voted in favour.

These results include the latest from Cork East, Cork North West, and Cork South West.

It was a close affair in Cork South West with 49% of the electorate voting in favour of the referendum, and 51% against.874 votes separated the yes from the no vote.

So far Wexford is the only constituency to have voted in favour of the referendum by the narrowest of margins : 50.1% in favour, and 49.9% against.

1748 Referendum results from 13 constituencies show that people have voted overwhelming in favour of the referendum on judges' pay: 79.9% in favour, 20.1% against.

1737 President Mary McAleese has congratulated Mr Higgins on his election as her successor.

"On my own behalf and on behalf of the Irish people, I warmly congratulate Michael D Higgins, our new President-elect.

"His success in the Presidential election marks the start of an exciting chapter for our country, our global Irish family and for the Higgins family. To Michael D, Sabina and their children, I send my very best wishes and prayers for the years ahead."

1732 Responding to a question asked during a press conference, Michael D Higgins has said he currently does not intend to run for a second term in office in seven years.

He also said he felt there were moments when the Presidential campaign became somewhat ageist and this concerned him.

1715 Galway United has congratulated its club president on his "sensational victory".

"The Management Committee, staff, squad and supporters wish Michael D, wife Sabina and family the best of luck in this new chapter of their lives. As he always has - we know Michael D will do us proud."

1709 David McCullagh: It may have taken a day and a half to complete the count, but it turned out to be a record breaker, with Michael D Higgins accumulating more than one million votes by the end of the fourth count.

In his remarks at Dublin Castle, Mr Higgins said he would be a President of all the people - who he said had given him a very clear mandate.

1703 Referendum results from 8 of 43 constituencies show that almost 54% havevoted AGAINST the referendum on Oireachtas Inquiries.

Just over 46% voted in favour so far.

1653Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore are now congratulating the President-elect.

Kenny quotes from Higgins' poem - The Minister's Black Car - "Well now - you've all given him one ... I hope he's worried about the carbon footprint."

1647Michael D Higgins: "This campaign we can never forget, involved an choice of which Ireland we wanted to be."

1643President-electHiggins says he will also be President for those who did not vote for him, and for emigrants.

"Always in my mind too, will be those who have gone away - and I will be their President too."

1639 President-elect Michael D Higgins begins with a few words in Irish - and expresses his thanks to the people of Ireland and to the members of the Labour party who nominated him.

"I am particularly grateful to the more than million people who said that i am acceptable to them as the ninth President of Ireland."

"I will be a president for all the people and from this moment I will cease to be a member of the Labour Party."

1638Dana Rosemary Scallon takes the stage to thank her campaign staff, family and supporters.

"It's been a great honour to be nominated ... i give my best wishes to all the other candidates."

1637"He got over one million votes - and that tells you something about Michael D Higgins" says David Norris

"I got a hundred thousand votes ... and that result has invigorated me"

1631Martin McGuinness:"It's been a real privilege and honour for me to stand for the presidency of my country."

"Michael D will be a very fine President ... I have every confidence that he will one of Ireland's finest Presidents"

1629" This has been a challenging campaign"Sean Gallagher tells the crowd at Dublin Castle.

" We brought a message of something new and fresh into Irish politics."

1621 Four of the losing candidates have arrived at Dublin Castle for the declaration - Dana Rosemary Scallon, David Norris, Martin McGuinness and Sean Gallagher.

It is understood Mary Davis and Gay Mitchell will not be attending the declaration.

1610 The Wicklow constituency has just completed a pre-emptive recount with regard to votes cast on the Oireachtas Inquiry referendum.

Returning officer Patricia Casey stated that although there is a "clear-cut result in Wicklow", there are indications that the vote is extremely close in other count centres - hence her direction to staff to recount the ballots.

She also stated that whatever the overall result, the recounting of ballots would be "a valuable experience for counters as a recount was not such a common occurence."

1455 Former Fianna Fáil Minister for Foreign Affairs David Andrews has said he supported Michael D Higgins in the Presidential election.

Mr Andrews said his friendship with Mr Higgins goes back a long way and he supported him on a personal basis. They had both travelled abroad together on many human rights visits.

1443 Joe Mag Raoillaigh: Count officials flying along - they say final result will be known by 1615

1434 With fourth count results in from 19 of the 43 constituencies, Michael D Higgins has now passed the quota to be elected President.

However, the result will not be officially announced until the remaining constituencies have completed their counts and the results are compiled at the national count centre. The quota was 885,882.

1415 With 15 constituencies finished the fourth count, Higgins is just 16,848 votes short of the quota. Counting continues in 28 constituencies.

1412 From observation of ballot papers, it looks certain that the Oireachtas inquiries referendum will be defeated in all three Cork county constituencies.

1411 It appears that there is an overwhelming 'Yes' vote to judges' pay and an overwhelming 'No' vote to Oireachtas inquiries in three constituencies: Dublin South Central, Dublin South East and Dublin Central.

1408 Minister Brendan Howlin has acknowledged that there was some confusion with the ballot paper arising from the lack of detail about the amendment.

The minister said the Government had to learn from that to have a better engagement to ensure absolute clarity.

He said there was need for a parliamentary system to find the truth and expose wrongdoing where it exists and to hold public servants to account in a proper and democratic way.

1404 Fourth count results from 10 constituencies complete.

1355 The fourth count has started in Waterford but count staff are expected to break for lunch shortly. The count will resume after lunch.

1321 David McCullagh: It took three hours this morning to distribute David Norris's 116,000 votes; now count staff around the country have to work through just over 400,000 votes won by Martin McGuinness and Gay Mitchell.

A final result is not likely before late afternoon, but the result hasn't been in doubt throughout this marathon count.

1305 There is a special live Presidential Election 2011 programme playing the player link above.

1257 It looks like it could be a few hours before we have a final result. You could alway try our Presidential Quiz if you're at a loose end.

1239 His final 7.7% share of the vote means that Gay Mitchell - like David Norris, Dana Rosemary Scallon and Mary Davis - will not be entitled to claim back his €200,000 in election expenses.

1229 And then there were two. Higgins and Gallagher are the only two candidates left in the race. Higgins is currently on 793,128 votes and Gallagher has 548,373. Quota is 885,882. While the end result is known, the count is set to continue.

1155 All 43 constituencies have completed the third count. Awaiting results now.

1147 Minister Alan Shatter has said the Oireachtas inquiries amendment is a complex issue and the Government should have explained it to a greater degree.

The negativity about the referendum only emerged in the last ten days, he said, and some of it came from a lawyer's analysis, which presumed bad faith and that politicians would ignore the rights of individuals.

Mr Shatter said the eight former Attorneys-General who had criticised the amendment has spoken ex cathedra and suggested that members of the Oireachtas could not be trusted.

Attention had been taken away from the issue during the campaign because of the Presidential election, he added.

1143 Counting in the referendums is complete in Louth. It's understood there is a substantial majority in favour of the referendum on judges' pay, while the vote is much tighter in relation to Oireachtas powers.

1142 Waiting on third count results from just three constituencies.

1131 The referendum on judges' pay looks set to be passed in both Limerick constituencies.

While counting in both referenda has been completed at the count centre in Limerick, the result cannot be sent to Dublin until after the presidential election has concluded.

Local sources have indicated that the referendum on judges' pay was supported by five to one in Limerick city and four to one in the Limerick constituency, which is made of rural Co Limerick.

It is understood the referendum on Oireachtas inquiries was narrowly defeated by voters in Limerick city, while voters in Co Limerick voted to support the amendment, but again by a narrow enough margin.

1123 Justice Minister Alan Shatter has described the outcome of the Presidential election as a ''stunning victory'' for Michael D Higgins.

Mr Shatter said he will make a ''fantastic'' President.

Mr Higgins had a number of strings to his bow that go outside politics and had an individualised approach to the world, he added.

1103 Listen live to Marian Finucane as RTÉ radio coverage of the election continues - RTÉ’s Brian Dowling and Fergal Keane, Harry McGee of The Irish Times, and Minister Alan Shatter discuss the elections

1057 In Wicklow, sorting and counting in relation to both sets of referendum ballot papers has finished. Returning officer Patricia Casey has stated that there is a "clear result" with regard to each amendment.

1043Cian McCormack reports that count staff at City West count centre say there is an almost equal split between 'Yes' and 'No' votes in the referendum on Oireachtas Inquiries.

However, after the sorting of votes, counter staff say there is anecdotal evidence that the 'No' vote may be slightly ahead.

There is no tally being carried out for the referendum in the City West count centre and therefore no figures are available.

The sorting of ballot papers with regard to the two referendum counts has also been completed.

0942 Tallies and an RTÉ-RED C recall poll indicate that the referendum on judges' pay will be passed, but the referendum on Oireachtas inquiries could be too close to call.

0941 Michael D Higgins is currently 155,000 votes short of the quota.

0940 The final result in the Presidential election is expected to be announced later today. Although an exact time at which the count will be completed is not known, it is likely to be this afternoon.

0900 Counting resumes in the Presidential election with the distribution of the votes of David Norris.

0855 Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin has said he is concerned that the referendum on Oireachtas inquiries may be lost.

Speaking on Morning Ireland, Mr Howlin said he believed the result would be close.

"I'm concerned to be truthful about the thirtieth amendment. I know that some of the figures given out last night indicated that it would go down significantly in Wexford and it hasn't.

"So I think we don't know yet but if it's won it'll be very narrowly won and I think if it's lost it'll be narrowly lost. That means we didn't do our jobs sufficiently well."

0848Fine Gael General Secretary Tom Curran says it's a very sobering day for the party. While Fine Gael is the biggest political party, it doesn't mean they will remain there, he said. 'We have to work to remain there'.

0825 David McCullagh says as many as 65% / 75,000 of Norris' transfers could go to Higgins, if yesterday’s Red C ''Recall'' poll for RTÉ is accurate.

On the Dublin West by-election, he says despite yesterday’s victory, Labour’s vote is actually down since the General Election.

0813 Morning Ireland will be reporting on the long night at Dublin Castle and discussing what people can expect from the new President

0700 Good morning! Welcome back to our live updates on the election count.

The Presidential election count resumes this morning at 9am, with Michael D Higgins looking certain to be elected President.

Did you miss the end of last night's proceedings? Here's a quick summary of what happened:

The result of the second count was announced in Dublin Castle just after 1.30am.

The first count took 12 hours; the second took four-and-a-half.

It will take some time yet before Mr Higgins is finally elected Ireland's ninth President.

He took a commanding lead on the first count, with 39.6% of the vote.

After the second count, which saw the distribution of the votes of the two lowest candidates (Mary Davis and Dana Rosemary Scallon), he is on just over 730,000 votes, still 155,000 votes short of the quota.

Count centres around the country will distribute David Norris' 116,000 votes this morning.

However, that will not be enough to elect Mr Higgins, so at least one more count will be required, with the distribution of Gay Mitchell's votes and possibly those of Martin McGuinness as well.

Once Mr Higgins is elected, the count in the two Constitutional referendums will begin. It will be another long day for election staff around the country!

0247 Labour's Patrick Nulty has been elected to the Dáil after the fifth count in the Dublin West by-election.

Nulty received 17,636 votes, 216 below the quota, with Fianna Fáil's David McGuinness coming in second with 11,590 votes.

0151 John Kilraine: The Dublin West by-election will now go to the fifth and final count following the elimination of Socialist Party candidate Ruth Coppinger.

Ms Coppinger and Fianna Fail's David McGuinness finished tied on 9,873 each after a rechecking of votes.

The Socialist Party had asked for a recount after she was found to be just 18 votes behind the Fianna Fáil candidate.

The recheck found errors in the transfer process bringing Ms Coppinger level.

But after consultation with both parties, returning officer John Fitzpatrick said he was eliminating Ms Coppinger under Section 122 of the Electoral Act which means the person with the highest first preference vote goes through.

Labour's Patrick Nulty is now on 13,027 votes going into the final count and is expected to be elected.

0142 The standing of the remaining five candidates after the Second Count:

0056 39 of 43 constituencies have completed the second count. Staff in Dublin Castle say the outstanding four are due shortly but the annoucement of the completed second national count will not happen until at least 0120.

0052 John Kilrane has told Sean O'Rourke on RTÉ Radio 1 that, while currently unconfirmed, the recount in the Dublin West by-election appears to have left the Socialist Party's Ruth Coppinger and Fianna Fáil's David McGuinness tied for votes.

If that is the case the options are to have both candidates eliminated, which would see Labour's Patrick Nulty win the seat, or to have another recheck followed by a full recount.

0049 David McCullagh: The national result of the second count is expected to be announced shortly - it's likely that the count will then be adjourned until tomorrow morning.

The first count took 12 hours, the second count has taken four hours so far - Presidential election counts are not for the fainthearted.

0045 Mark O'Donohoe was unimpressed with the "locked and sealed" ballot boxes in Cork North West:

0037 Here is a graphic fromIrish Political Maps showing the first preference votes for Michael D Higgins

0023 Joe Mag Raoillaigh: As there are still at least 10 constituencies to complete their second count, a spokeperson for the Presidential returning officer now says it will be at least 1am before the second national count will be announced.

On that basis its understood the count will then be adjourned until tomorrow morning.

0009 Sean O'Rourke is still flying the flag on RTÉ Radio 1 - Listen here